On Mon, Jun 02, 2014 at 10:17:49AM -0700, Denis Heidtmann wrote: > I started to chime in on this debate, then thought I would check with > Mr. Google first. No facts, just opinions and "this is what I do". > Many report using an air compressor.
Moving air can work like a van de Graff high voltage generator. Plastic parts especially, grounded metal parts not so much. Which is why an air compressor with metal nozzles and conductive hoses can be safer. But they often emit some vaporized pump oil, which can collect more dust. Tradeoffs. When semiconductor labs use compressed air for cleaning (not much these days) they use radioactive alpha-emitting Americium in the nozzle chambers. The alphas ionize the air, making it conductive, reducing charge build up. Seems contradictory, but it is the spark-making static discharges that do the damage, not a slow trickle of charge. But I don't think you want that much Americium in your house - even smoke detectors are worrisome. Slightly moist air is much better than dry air. Artificially heated winter rooms are dry as a bone. If you are working on electronics, ground yourself to the case, and run a humidifier in the room if you can. A tiny bit of humidity - not damp! - can increase conductivity a lot, and also helps your skin, eyes, and lungs - animals didn't evolve for artificial winter heat! Keith -- Keith Lofstrom [email protected] _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
